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Knot Tying

NYS Learning Standards Core Curriculum

ELA Standard 1: Language for Information and Understanding
Students will: read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding. As listeners and readers, students will collect data, facts, and ideas; discover relationships, concepts, and generalizations; and use knowledge generated from oral, written, and electronically produced texts. As speakers and writers, they will use oral and written language to acquire, interpret, apply, and transmit information.

Summary

A well tied knot can play a significant role in helping a person catch a fish. In this lesson, students will learn how to tie a clinch knot and bait a hook. Depending on the level of the students, additional fishing knots may be introduced.

Vocabulary

Bend - a knot that ties a line or rope to a different line or rope, joining the two together.

Bight - a "U" shape made in a line by turning the working end 180 degrees toward standing part.

Bobber - any type of float attached in a line in order to have visual reference when a fish nibbles the bait.

Hitch - a knot that ties a line or rope to an object, such as a lure, post, or structure.

Loop - a circular opening or "hole" formed by tying the tag end to the standing line.

Noose - a loop whose knot can slide, or slip, on the standing line, thus making a smaller or larger loop that can tighten or loosen around an object.

Rig - the lure or "tackle" one is using.

Standing line - part of the line coming from your fishing reel; the middle part of line.

Tag End or Working End - end of the line; the part usually used to tie a knot.

Background

Introduction

If you have ever lost a fish due to a poorly tied knot you know the frustration! A knot well tied will greatly add to the success in catching fish and add to your fun. Here are a few easy tips to help you improve your results:

Tip: Wet your knots with saliva while pulling them tight. This prevents damage to the line and allows the knot to pull tight with less friction.

Tip: Closely trim the "tag ends". The tag end, or working end, is the end of the line used to tie the knot. The "standing end" is the part of the line that is coming from your fishing reel. Trimming tag ends prevents the knot from catching snags or weeds. Do not burn the tag end-heat damages the line and knot.

Tip: Check your line often for nicks. As a guideline, replace your line and retie rigs at least every year.

Knot Tying

The following are a few basic, but important, knots you can learn that will greatly improve your chance of netting the fish you hooked. Practice these knots to help yourself become an experienced fisherman. There are many, many knots one can learn. Most are a variation on a similar knot. Learn the basic ones and then you can improve upon them.

The "Clinch Knot" and "Improved Clinch Knot"

These knots are two of the more common fishing knots and are used to tie the fishing line to a hook, lure, swivel, or artificial fly. Both knots start off the same, however the improved clinch knot has one extra step. These knots can be used for saltwater or freshwater.

Tying the Clinch Knot

Pass the tag end through the eye of the hook, swivel, or lure.

With the tag end, make 5 turns around the standing line.

Hold the coils in place and thread the end of the tag line through the first loop closest to the hook's eye (not the hook's eye itself).

Wet the line and pull the tag end and standing line slowly, and snug tightly.

Pull the standing line, sliding the coils against the eye firmly.

Clip the tag end.

Tying the Improved Clinch Knot

Follow the same steps for the Clinch Knot, however after passing the tag end through the first loop; pass it through the big loop that was just made.

Remember to wet the line before cinching and to clip the tag end of the line.

The "Palomar Knot"

Another good knot that attaches a hook or lure to a line is the Palomar Knot. This knot is very good to use if you want to change lures or hooks easily.

Tying the Palomar Knot

Using the tag end, make a bight about 6 inches parallel to standing line.

Thread the bight through the eye of hook.

Tie a loose overhand knot with hook hanging from the bottom of the loop.

Holding the overhand knot between your thumb and forefinger, pass the loop of line over the hook.

Slide the loop over and above the eye of hook.

Pull on both the standing line and tag end to tighten knot down onto the eye.

Clip tag end.

The "Uni Knot"

This knot is a good and dependable knot for monofilament to terminal tackle connections. Some anglers find it easier to tie than the Improved Clinch and equally dependable.
Tying the Uni Knot

Thread the tag end through the eye of the hook and double back parallel to the standing line. Make a loop by laying tag end over the doubled line.

Make 6 turns with the tag end around the double line and through the loop.

Moisten the lines and pull tag end to snug up the turns.

Slide the knot down to the eye.

Clip tag end.

The "Dropper Loop"

This knot is used to make a loop in the middle of your line to attach a hook or another rig. The in-line dropper loop is often used to create multi-hook fishing lines where a sinker is needed. This knot is common when fishing in saltwater for fluke, porgy, and blackfish.

Tying the Dropper Loop

Form a loop in the line at the desired location. Pass standing -line from one side of loop through and around that side of loop. Make 5+ wraps and keep new loop, which is formed, open.

Push bottom of original loop up through new opening and hold with teeth. Wet knot with saliva and pull both ends in opposite directions.

Pull ends of line evenly until coils tighten and loop stands out from line.

The "Double Overhand Knot" (surgeon's knot)

The double overhand knot used primarily for saltwater to make a loop in order to attach a sinker.

Tying the Double Overhand Knot

Using the tag end, make a bight about 3-4 inches parallel to standing line.

Use the bight to tie an overhand knot, creating a loop.

Clip the tag end close to the knot.

Attaching a Bobber to your Line

To attach a bobber to your line, thread the fishing line through the top and bottom hooks of the bobber.

Expose the bottom hook by pressing the top button on the bobber. Thread line through.

Expose the top hook by pressing the button while holding the bottom hook in place or pushing up on the bottom hook. Thread line through.

You can adjust the amount of line that is in the water by sliding the bobber up or down the fishing line. Be sure to attach the bobber so the fishhook hangs just above the structure (weeds, logs, etc.) or the pond bottom.

Wrap Up

Questions for Discussion
Q: Why is it important to know how to tie knots?
A: As a fisherman you want secure knots so you won't lose your fish.

Q: What is the "tag end" of a line or rope?
A: The end of the line which is used to tie a knot.

Q: What does a "bend" do?
A: Ties two lines together.

Q: What is the purpose of a Bobber?
A: To add buoyancy to a fishing line, so the bait or hook stays off the bottom. A bobber is also a great visual reference to know when a fish nibbles the bait.

Web Resources (links in the right column)

Take Me Fishing: Fishopedia - A basic "How to" for tying lots of knots. Also info on fishing conservation, how to fish and prepare fish to eat, and lots more.

NetKnots.com Fishing Knots - Large selection of rope knots for use by boaters, paddlers, scouts, search and rescue, and all outdoor pursuits. The knots illustrated and animated here include the best knots from the three primary knot categories: Loops, Bends, and Hitches.